Painting a Picture with Louise Emily Jewell

Hello there! I’m back with blogging here and I wanted to start again with a whole lotta color and a fun interview to get you inspired! Today, we’re going to hear about Louise Emily Jewell’s journey as an artist. She makes some gorgeous work mostly with watercolor and an emphasis for fine detail. Basically, I really like the peaceful and sweet vibes of her work. And I’m pretty sure you will, too! Let’s hear what she has to say!

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Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’m Louise, an ex-knitwear designer come illustrator based in the UK. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting, in particular working on small detailed watercolour paintings and wanted to turn my passion into my job.

What motivates and inspires you the most?

Motivation comes from the urge to create, interpreting the way I see the world onto paper, and wanting to develop and improve as an artist.

I think creative people are sponges for music, art, books, film, design, style and nature, everything really … it’s all constantly buzzing around the brain! So inspiration comes from everywhere! But I always seem to be drawn back to the sea and nautical themes.

I start by sketching, researching images, looking through photos and referencing old sketches. I will then think about the composition of the piece… how I would like it to look in terms of style and colour. I want to evoke feeling in the viewer either by something being cute and making them smile, or creating atmosphere in my work.

After a few rough sketches on loose paper (I become too precious if I work in a sketch book) I sketch the outline of my illustration onto watercolour paper and then start painting.

The illustration is then scanned and if needed tweaked in Photoshop if needed.

How much time on an average does it take to create a piece?

It all depends on how much detail is in a piece, anything from 2 – 20 hours!

Just out of interest, what was the first (or your favourite) piece of art you remember creating?

I have been making art since I was a tiny tot. The first piece of art I can remember creating was some little rabbit characters eating carrots which was stuck on my parent’s fridge for years.

My favorite painting of recent times is the lady in the potting shed ‘Private Retreat’. I would love to have a potting shed like hers.

Where do you see yourself in a few years?

I would like to have a few clients that I work with on a regular basis and continue to develop as an illustrator.

I would love to be illustrating for magazines, book jackets and children’s books, learn how to make complex repeat patterns, and take part in some exhibitions.

Can you share a glimpse of a typical day in your life? (step by step/ hour by hour breakdown)

We have tea in bed everyday, I see that as one of life’s biggest luxuries! So no matter what time I need to get up I set the alarm half an hour earlier so I can enjoy a morning cup of tea in bed.

After breakfast it’s time to take my dogs for a nice long walk in the country.

I then go into my studio to start work and spend the day researching, drawing and painting. I tend to stick to normal working hours of 9 – 6 but it’s difficult to put the paintbrush down sometimes.

In the evening I walk the dogs again and tackle my share of the chores, then it’s time to relax, in the garden during summer, or in front of the fire during the winter, with a glass of red and some delicious home cooked food.

How long has painting and art in general been your hobby? How did you think you could convert it to something more?

I have been drawing and painting ever since I was a child, so I suppose it has always been my hobby. When I graduated I was working in the fashion industry, lots of long hours, long commutes and international travel. Time to draw and paint was completely non-existent.

Seven years ago I started working on a freelance basis, which allowed me more time to pick up art as a hobby. As my style developed I decided to put together a portfolio and started to pick up commissions.

Just for fun: What is your favourite travel destination, colour, food and flower?

My favorite travel destination has to be Japan. I have been skiing in Japan a few times and am totally in love with their culture, elegant food and the execution and perfectionism in design.

I also really love Sri Lanka because of the laid-back nature, delicious curries, stunning scenery and jolly people.

My favourite colours are indigo and berry colours.

My favourite food is cheese.

Favourite flower always changes to the flower I am looking at! … at the moment there are passion flowers coming into bloom in the garden so I will say Passion Flowers.

What’s the importance of art in your daily lifestyle?

Art is very prominent in my daily lifestyle. We are surrounded by art all the time. Art comes in many different forms, from paintings hanging on the wall, the latest film, to mundane everyday objects. Art and creativity is not vital to our survival, but does bring a lot of joy and happiness, and so is vital to our wellbeing.

What do you do in your leisure time? (apart from art, of course!)

I love to be outdoors and experience nature. I am a keen sailor and like to go on long walks and hikes with my dogs.

I am also a bit of homebody so anything to do with making my home more beautiful… and enjoying the space we have created by cooking, baking and reading.

Some themes/ topics inspiring you nowadays?

I have recently finished a series of sailors and fishermen which I would like to develop further. I plan to explore other nautical themes such as ships knots, the shipping forecast, coastal maps and some boats.

The commissions I am currently working on are focused around floral arrangements, and as it is summer it’s hard not to notice how beautiful the flowers are.

What are your go-to art supplies and your preferred art media?

I love Holbein watercolour paints, hot pressed highwhite watercolour paper and teeny tiny paintbrushes. The best brushes I have ever bought are by Holbein too.

How did you discover your own style of drawing? Any advice for artists struggling with getting in the swing of things?

I started by using lots of different mediums to find one that suits me. I found I was most happy when using watercolour. I used watercolour in the past for fashion sketches.

Take a sketch book and go outside to draw… and try not to worry about creating a masterpiece.

Draw things you really like!

Set your self exercises with different mediums and styles to find one that suits you…

The more you do the better you get so practice, practice, practice.

How do you balance your creative thought while thinking of art in terms of business too?

I’m still trying to figure that out. It’s hard not to let the creative side take over so I always set time aside for marketing, promotion and book keeping.